It seems that each day the world around us gets a little less real, it feels as if originality has gone by the wayside. There's so much smoke in mirrors that you never know who or what to believe, so you're constantly on your toes in fear of being hoodwinked. This lack of legitimacy causes you to be on edge at all times, which is exhausting when you get down to it.

Finding genuine, kosher people in a world full of imitators is getting more difficult by the day. For some reason, a majority of our generation thinks that pretending not to care about other people is the only way to go. Being aloof and indifferent will totally keep you from getting hurt, right? Wrong. Sure, it could offer some sort of temporary protection from harm. But more so, it will revoke from you any chance you might have had to meet sincere, wholesome people whose intentions are upright.

Many fallaciously perceive being sympathetic and vicarious as a sign of weakness. On the contrary, remaining a sensitive, pure being in a world that is constantly trying to harden you into a callous, apathetic person is one of the largest accomplishments I can think of. Allowing yourself to be open and vulnerable in this world despite being fully aware of its belligerence is a colossal manifestation of fortitude. It is the true mark of a coward to act contentiously toward others in apprehension of being hurt by something they may say or do. It seems to some that having a jagged exterior and a bitter disposition is a way to exude power, but it's quite the opposite.

The world can be an incredibly cold, unforgiving place. Unfortunately enough, it seems as though kindness for the sake of kindness has become an obsolete practice. This could be because every person is so busy building up their walls and ensuring that no harm comes to them that they don't even take the time to think about anyone else. If we could all step back and take some time to propagate compassion, we could make strides toward restoring humanity.

"Don't let someone steal your tenderness. Don't allow the coldness and fear of others tarnish your perfectly vulnerable beating heart. Nothing is more powerful than allowing yourself to be truly affected by things." -Zooey Deschanel